This guide introduces educators to the classroom use of oceanographic data from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). MBARI provides near real-time, quality controlled data on surface and subsurface temperature and salinity; CO2 and O2 concentrations; and relative fluorescence, used by scientists to better understand the Monterey Bay ecosystem and draw parallels to the ocean as a whole. Teaching topics include: topography and plate tectonics of the ocean floor; meteorology; ecology of the Monterey Bay region; geochemical cycles; phytoplankton primary productivity; and marine biodiversity. Students will learn to: understand the relationship between wind and ocean upwelling; interpret maps of oceanographic data; understand the methods used to obtain bathymetric data; and understand the instrumentation used to obtain physical and biological oceanographic data. There are instructions and links for accessing and manipulating the data, links to scientific and educational resource that use this dataset, and links to online resources with related information.

Intended for grade levels:

High (9-12)

College (13-14)

Type of resource:

For the classroom:

Classroom activity

Computer activity

Guide for instructor

Subject:

Atmospheric science

Ecology

Educational theory and practice

Geological Sciences:

Geology

Ocean Sciences:

Biological oceanography

Physical oceanography

Technical requirements:

Raw data requires Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet application

Cost / Copyright:

No cost

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